Animal enclosure

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a door frame assembly that includes a frame that defines an opening therein for allowing access therethrough. The door frame also includes a door pivotally coupled to a first vertical wire of the of the frame for pivoting the door between an open position and a closed position. The door frame further includes a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism releasably couples the door to the frame and is formed by a first horizontal wire. The first horizontal wire forms a hooked end protruding outward toward the door and spaced inwardly of the frame to intersect with the opening. The second coupling mechanism releasably couples the door to the frame. The second coupling mechanism includes a portion configured to limit movement of the door relative to the frame until the second portion is pivoted in a direction toward the door.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/039,671, filed Sep. 27, 2013, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/715,400,filed Oct. 18, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an animal enclosure, and moreparticularly to an animal enclosure useful for containing andmaintaining animals.

BACKGROUND

Animal crates and the like are popular for pet owners to purchase forhousing their domestic pet. The cage can allow the pet owner to enjoytheir pet while also maintaining the pet in an enclosed and controlledenvironment. Cages or other similar enclosures can be made from avariety of materials such as plastic, iron, steel, wood, aluminum, wovenfabric, etc. The material from which the cage is made can depend onwhether the cage is primarily used indoors or outdoors. In any event,pet owners want cages to be durable so that animals enclosed within thecage cannot escape and animals outside the cage cannot enter.

Cages also can include multiple functions in addition to providing asafe enclosure for the pet. For example, the cage can provide a sanitaryenvironment for the pet, and in some instances where more than one petis contained within the same cage, the cage can include structure fordividing the interior thereof for separating multiple pets. Also, somecages can be easily transportable. Other similar cages can include ahandle or other device for transporting the cage.

However, many cages can impose safety and health concerns to animalscontained therein. For instance, some wire crates can have wires orlatches that tangle with an animal's collar. In other instances, ananimal may chew and possibly swallow part of a cage. Moreover, someanimals are able to open a cage door and escape from the confinement ofthe cage.

Therefore, a need exists for an animal enclosure that is safe, secure,and capable of containing an animal without the risk of the animalescaping from containment.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, an animal enclosure is provided for containing ananimal. The animal enclosure includes a housing defining an interior,the housing including a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, athird side, and a fourth side, wherein the top, the bottom, the firstside, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side eachincluding a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires; adoor frame formed in one of the first side, the second side, the thirdside, and the fourth side, the door frame including a plurality ofinterconnected horizontal and vertical wires, wherein the door framedefines an opening therein for allowing access to the interior of thehousing; a door pivotally coupled to a first vertical wire of the of thedoor frame for pivoting the door between an open position and a closedposition, the door including a plurality of interconnected horizontaland vertical wires; a first coupling mechanism for releasably couplingthe door to the door frame, the first coupling mechanism formed by afirst horizontal wire of the door frame, wherein the first horizontalwire forms a hooked end spaced inwardly of the door frame and intersectsthe opening defined by the door frame; and a second coupling mechanismfor releasably coupling the door to the door frame, the second couplingmechanism including a first portion pivotally coupled to the door and asecond portion configured to limit movement of the door relative to thedoor frame without first pivoting the second portion away from the doorframe.

In one example, the door frame comprises at least two first couplingmechanisms. In a second example, a horizontal wire of the door ispositioned within the hooked end of the first coupling mechanism in theclosed position. In a third example, the first horizontal wire includesthe hooked end and another end disposed opposite thereof, the firsthorizontal wire comprising a bend of approximately 90° therebetween. Ina fourth example, the second coupling mechanism comprises asubstantially U-shaped structure. In a fifth example, the door ismovable about a first direction and a second direction when being movedfrom the position to the open position. In a sixth example, the doorframe comprises a plurality of hooks for coupling to the top and bottom.In a seventh example, at least two of the plurality of horizontal wirescomprises curled ends that are coupled to a vertical wire of the door toform an opening configured to receive the first vertical wire.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for opening a door of ananimal enclosure from a closed position. The method includes providing adoor frame, a door pivotally coupled to the door frame, a first couplingmechanism, and a second coupling mechanism including a stoppermechanism; pivoting the second coupling mechanism about a firsthorizontal wire on the door until the stopper mechanism moves to aposition away from and clears the door frame; with the stopper mechanismclear from contacting the door frame, lifting the door until a secondhorizontal wire of the door clears the first coupling mechanism; andpivoting the door to the open position.

In one example, the method includes lifting the door until a thirdhorizontal wire of the door clears the first coupling mechanism. In asecond example, the method includes pivoting the door about a firstvertical wire of the door frame. In a third example, the second couplingmechanism comprises a latch formed of a single wire. In a fourthexample, the pivoting the second coupling mechanism step is performedbefore the lifting the door step. In a fifth example, the methodincludes substantially preventing any lifting movement of the door untilthe second coupling mechanism is pivoted. In a sixth example, the methodincludes substantially preventing any lifting movement of the door untilthe stopper mechanism clears the door frame. In a seventh example, themethod includes substantially preventing the pivoting the door stepuntil after the pivoting the second coupling mechanism step and thelifting the door step.

In a different embodiment, a door frame assembly is provided for ananimal enclosure. The door frame assembly includes a frame including aplurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define anopening in the frame for allowing access therethrough; a door pivotallycoupled to a first vertical wire of the of the frame for pivoting thedoor between an open position and a closed position, the door includinga plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires; a firstcoupling mechanism for releasably coupling the door to the frame, thefirst coupling mechanism formed by a first horizontal wire of the frame,wherein the first horizontal wire forms a hooked end protruding outwardtoward the door and spaced inwardly of the frame to intersect with theopening defined by the frame; and a second coupling mechanism forreleasably coupling the door to the frame, the second coupling mechanismincluding a first portion pivotally coupled to the door and a secondportion configured to limit movement of the door relative to the frameuntil the second portion is pivoted in a direction toward the door.

In one example, a horizontal wire of the door is coupled to the firstcoupling mechanism in the closed position. In a second example, theframe comprises at least two first coupling mechanisms spaced verticallyfrom one another. In a third example, in the closed position, a firsthorizontal wire of the door is positioned within an opening formed byone of the first coupling mechanisms and a second horizontal wire of thedoor is positioned within an opening formed by another of the firstcoupling mechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an animal enclosure in an uprightposition;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame and doorassembly for the animal enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame and door assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a coupler of the frame of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the frame and door assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a coupler of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame and door assembly of FIG. 2with the door in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a door latch;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a different embodiment of a frame and doorassembly for the animal enclosure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the animal enclosure of FIG. 1 in acollapsed position.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseforms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, theembodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the artmay appreciate and understand the principles and practices of thepresent disclosure.

An exemplary embodiment of an animal enclosure is shown in FIG. 1. Theanimal enclosure 100 can be structured to include a top 102, a bottom104, a front 106, a back 108, a first side 110, and a second side 112.The animal enclosure 100 can be formed of any material, but as shown inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, it can be formed of wire material. Each of thetop 102, bottom 104, front 106, back 108, first side 110, and secondside 112 can be individually coupled to one another to form theenclosure 100. As such, each piece can be removably coupled so that theenclosure 100 can be collapsed for storage (see FIG. 10) and assembledquickly for containing an animal. Alternatively, the top 102, bottom104, first side 110, and second 112 may form a single piece where thefirst side 110 and second side 112 are pivotally coupled to both the top102 and bottom 104, respectively. In this arrangement, the front 106 andback 108 may be decoupled from either the top 102 or bottom 104 and thenfolded inwardly on top of at least one of the top 102, bottom 104, firstside 110, and second side 112. This will be further explained in detailbelow.

In a different embodiment, the enclosure 100 may not be collapsible suchthat the enclosure 100 is always in an upright position. For instance,the top 102 may be affixed to the first side 110 and second side 112 toprevent collapsing the enclosure. Likewise, the bottom 104 may beaffixed to the first side 110 and second side 112.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front 106 can include a front frame anddoor assembly. The assembly, for example, includes a door 114 pivotablycoupled to an outer frame 116. The door 114 and frame 116 can be formedof metal wire, similar to the rest of the enclosure 100, although inother embodiments it may be desirable to form either of a differentmaterial. In FIG. 2, however, the door 114 can include a plurality ofhorizontal wires 208 and vertical wires 210 and the frame 116 caninclude a plurality of horizontal wires 204 and vertical wires 206.

A door latch 118 can be pivotably coupled to the door 114. The latch 118can include structure that defines a stopper mechanism that engages theframe 116 to prevent the door 114 from opening. This will be describedin greater detail with respect to FIGS. 3-7.

The frame 116 can include one or more upper hook members 122 that engagea wire on the top 102. Likewise, the frame 116 can include one or morelower hook members 124 that engage a wire on the bottom 104. As such, inan upright orientation, the frame 116 is coupled to the top 102 andbottom 104 and disposed substantially perpendicular to both the top 102and bottom 104. Moreover, the frame 116 is disposed substantiallyparallel to the back 108. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is nocorresponding hook member for engaging the first side 110 and/or secondside 112. In a different embodiment, however, there can be correspondinghook members for coupling the frame 116 to the first side 110 or secondside 112.

The frame 116 can also include one or more couplers 120 disposed at oneend thereof. In particular, the one or more couplers 120 is disposed atthe end opposite where the door 114 is pivotably coupled to the frame116. The couplers 120 are disposed outwardly from the frame 116 so thatan animal collar does not get tangled or caught on one of the couplers120. Each coupler 120 can form a hook or loop for engaging with ahorizontal wire on the door 114. In addition, when the door 114 isopened, access to the interior of the animal enclosure 100 is availablethrough a defined opening 702 (see FIG. 7). The size of the opening 702is defined by the frame 116. In the present disclosure, each of thecouplers 120 can extend inward of the frame 116 such that the couplersprotrude into the opening 702. This is further described below.

The couplers 120, in combination with the latch 118, provide a means forcoupling or maintaining the door 114 is a closed position relative tothe frame 116. Moreover, to unlatch or unlock the door 114 relative tothe frame 116 can require disengaging the latch 118 from the frame 116and the door 114 from the couplers 120. This is best illustrated inFIGS. 3-7.

Referring to FIG. 3, the door 114 can include a first wire 200 and asecond wire 202. The first wire 200 and second wire 202 aresubstantially parallel to and vertically spaced from one another. Eachcan be disposed horizontally from one end to an opposite end of the door114. The first wire 200 can engage an uppermost coupler 120, whereas thesecond wire 202 can engage a lowermost coupler 120 as shown in FIG. 3.The first wire 200 and second wire 202 are engaged with the couplers 120when the door 114 is configured in a closed position.

To allow access to the interior of the enclosure 100, the door 114 canbe opened. For instance, each of the substantially horizontally-disposedwires (e.g., 200, 202) can include curled or hooked ends 300. The curledor hooked ends 300 are disposed at an end opposite the couplers 120 sothat the door 114 can pivot with respect to a substantiallyvertically-disposed wire 302 of the frame 116. In other words, the wire302 can pass through each of the curled or hooked ends 300 of the door114 to permit the door 114 to pivot between an open and closed positionwith respect to the frame 116. In addition, to maintain the pivotalcoupling of the door 114 to the frame 116, the door 114 can include afirst vertical wire 310 that is positioned adjacent to the vertical wire302 of the frame 116. The curled or hooked ends 300 of each horizontalwire can be coupled to the first vertical wire 310. Alternatively, thecurled or hooked ends 300 can be bent such that the end of the wire thatforms the curled or hooked ends 300 can be in contact or in near contactwith the first vertical wire 310. As such, the curled or hooked ends 300form an opening through which the vertical wire 302 of the frame 116 canfit and the pivot connection is established.

In the illustrated embodiment, however, simply disengaging the firstwire 200 and second wire 202 from the couplers 120 does not allow thedoor 114 to be disengaged from the frame 116. To disengage the wiresfrom the couplers, the door 114 is lifted with respect to the frame 116.However, the door latch 118 is structured as a second coupling mechanismfor coupling the door 114 to the frame 116 such that the door latch 118can prevent the door 114 from being opened.

In FIG. 8, for example, an exemplary embodiment of the door latch 118 isillustrated. Here, the door latch 118 is in the form of a substantiallyU-shaped wire 800. The U-shaped wire 800 can be a single wire or aplurality of wires coupled to one another. Moreover, the shape of thewire 800 is in the form of a handle so that a user can disengage thedoor 114 from the frame 116 by using only one hand. At both ends of thewire 800, the latch 118 includes a coupling mechanism 806. Inparticular, the wire 800 can be bent in such a way as to define a pivotportion 802 and a stopper portion 804. In FIG. 3, for example, the pivotportion 802 of the latch 118 is pivotally coupled to a substantiallyhorizontal wire 308 of the door 114. This allows the latch 118 to pivotfreely with respect to the door 114. In addition, the stopper portion804 defines an opening or slot that can engage a horizontally-disposedwire 304 on the frame 116. Thus, if the latch 118 is in a downwardorientation (e.g., in FIGS. 1 and 2), the door 114 cannot be lifted todisengage the first wire 200 and second wire 202 from the couplers 120due to the stopper portion 804 engaging the wire 304. In thisembodiment, interference between the latch 118 and frame 116 is removedbefore the door is disengaged from the couplers 120.

In FIG. 3, potential interference between the latch 118 and frame 116can be removed or avoided by pivoting the latch 118 along a directionindicated by arrow 306. In doing so, the coupling mechanism 806, and inparticular the stopper portion 804, is rotated away from the frame 116.In one aspect, the latch 118 can be pivoted nearly 180°. In anotheraspect, the latch 118 can be pivoted at least 180°. As the latch 118 ispivoted nearly 180°, it can be raised to then disengage the first wire200 and second wire 202 from the couplers 120. This is best shown inFIGS. 4-6.

Referring to FIG. 4, for instance, the coupler 120 can form a singlewire 400 of the frame. One end 402 of the wire 400 can be affixed to theframe 116. For instance, the end 402 can be welded or adhered to theframe 116. A portion of the wire 400 spaced from the end 402 can includean approximately 90° bend 600 such that the wire 400 protrudes towardthe door 114 (see FIG. 6). The wire 400 can include a curled or hookedend 602 which is opposite from the end 402 of the wire 400. The curledor hooked end 602 forms the coupling function of the coupler 120.

In the illustrated embodiment, the curled or hooked end 602 not onlyprotrudes outward from the frame 116, but it also protrudes inwardly andintersects the access opening 702 of the enclosure 100. In other words,the frame 116 can include a horizontal wire 606 that defines the topedge of the access opening 702 and a vertical wire 604 that defines aright edge of the opening 702 (see FIG. 6). The wire 400, and inparticular the curled or hooked end 602, can protrude into the accessopening 702 such that it is positioned to the left of the vertical wire604 and below the horizontal wire 606. The position of the curled orhooked end 602, however, can be spaced from the vertical wire 604 andhorizontal wire 606 by a small distance such that an animal entering orexiting the enclosure 100 is unaffected by the location of the ends 602.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, once the door latch 118 is pivoted aboutdirection 306, the latch 118 or door 114 can be moved along a directionindicated by arrow 500. In this manner, the curled or hooked ends 300 ofthe horizontally-disposed wires of the door 114 can slide or moverelative to the vertically-disposed wire 302 of the frame 116. Once thefirst wire 200 and second wire 202 clear each of the couplers 120, thedoor 114 can be pivoted or moved along a direction indicated by arrow700 in FIG. 7 to an open position. In doing so, the curled or hookedends 300 can pivot or rotate about wire 302 of the frame. Once the door114 is opened, access through an opening 702 defined in the frame 116 isavailable.

Although only the front 106 of the enclosure is shown in FIG. 1 asincluding a frame and door assembly, it is possible to includeadditional frame and door assemblies in the back 108, first side 110,and/or second side 112. For example, the enclosure 100 may include aframe and door assembly in the front 106 and first side 110. The size ofthe door 114 can be the same regardless of whether it is formed in thefront 106, back 108, first side 110 or second side 112. Alternatively,the size of the door 114 can be proportional to the side it is formedin. For instance, if the enclosure is shaped as a rectangle, theenclosure may include both a smaller and larger sized doors. In adifferent embodiment, it is also possible to include a frame and doorassembly in the top 102 of the enclosure 100. This allows access throughthe top of the enclosure 100 and may be advantageous depending on thetype and size of animal being contained.

Although not shown, it is also possible to include a divider panelcoupled to one or more of the top 102, bottom 104, front 106, back 108,first side 110 and second side 112 so that several animals may becontained in the enclosure 100. An example of a divider panel isillustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. D668,397, entitled “Divider Panelfor an Animal Cage”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a frame and door assembly 900is shown. The assembly 900 includes an outer frame 902 similar to theframe 116 of FIG. 1. A door 904 is pivotally coupled to the frame 902 ina manner similar to the one described above. The door 904 can include adoor latch 118 as shown. The door latch 118, however, can include a gripportion 906. The grip portion 906 can be made of a plastic or rubbermaterial. In addition, the grip portion 906 can include one or moreindentations or grooves 908 to facilitate a more ergonomically andaesthetically-pleasing handle.

In a further embodiment, the couplers 120 can be formed from wires onthe door 114 rather than as the wire 400 on the frame 116. In thisembodiment, the frame 116 includes the first wire 200 and second wire202 for engaging the couplers 120 on the door 114. In this embodiment,the couplers 120 can be oriented either upward or downward such that thedoor 114 can be moved either upward or downward depending on theorientation of the couplers 120. Once the door 114 is moved to disengagethe couplers 120 from the first and second wires, the door 114 can bepivoted to the open position. The manner in which the couplers 120 areoriented is not dependent on the manner in which the door latch 118engages the frame 116, so the latch 118 can first be pivoted about wire308 before the couplers 120 are disengaged from the wires 200, 202.

In a different embodiment, the frame and door assembly of the presentdisclosure can be incorporated into an exercise pen-style enclosure. Theexercise pen enclosure may not include a top 102 or bottom 104, and mayinclude a plurality of sides. At least one of the plurality of sides mayinclude the frame and door assembly such that the advantages of the doorlatch 118 and couplers 120 is provided in an exercise pen enclosure.

While exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the presentdisclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application isintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosureusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. An animal enclosure for containing an animal, comprising: a housingdefining an interior, the housing including a top, a bottom, a firstside, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the top,the bottom, the first side, the second side, the third side, and thefourth side each including a plurality of interconnected horizontal andvertical wires; a door frame formed in one of the first side, the secondside, the third side, and the fourth side, the door frame including aplurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires defining anouter perimeter and defining an opening having an inner perimeter forallowing access to the interior of the housing, the outer perimeterbeing larger than the inner perimeter, wherein the plurality ofinterconnected horizontal and vertical wires further defines a firstplane; a door pivotally and slidably coupled to a first vertical wire ofthe door frame, the first vertical wire of the frame configured toenable pivoting of the door between an open position and a closedposition and configured to enable sliding of the door along the verticalwire of the door frame, the door formed by a plurality of interconnectedhorizontal and vertical wires defining a second plane generally alignedin parallel with the first plane when the door is in the closedposition; a plurality of coupling mechanisms for releasably coupling thedoor to the door frame, each of the plurality of coupling mechanismsformed by a different horizontal wire of the door frame, whereindifferent horizontal wires of the door frame form a hooked end spacedinwardly of the door frame and intersecting the opening defined by thedoor frame; and a latching mechanism for releasably coupling the door tothe door frame, the latching mechanism pivotably coupled to an outerhorizontal wire of the door frame to allow the latching mechanism topivot between a latched position and an unlatched position, the outerhorizontal wire partially defining the outer perimeter of the doorframe; wherein, the latching mechanism comprises a blocking portionconfigured to limit movement of the door relative to the door frame inthe latched position.
 2. The animal enclosure of claim 1, wherein theblocking portion is pivoted away from the door frame in the unlatchedposition to allow the door to move from the closed position to the openposition.
 3. The animal enclosure of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of horizontal wires of the door is positioned within thehooked end of at least one of the plurality of coupling mechanisms inthe closed position.
 4. The animal enclosure of claim 1, wherein ahorizontal wire of the door is positioned within the hooked end of afirst of the plurality of coupling mechanisms in the closed position. 5.The animal enclosure of claim 4, wherein a second horizontal wire of thedoor is positioned within the hooked end of a second of the plurality ofcoupling mechanisms in the closed position.
 6. The animal enclosure ofclaim 4, wherein the horizontal wire of the door is positioned withinthe hooked end of one of the plurality of coupling mechanism in theclosed position, and the horizontal wire of the door is positionedoutside of the hooked end of the first coupling mechanism when the dooris substantially slid along the first vertical wire of the door frame ina first direction.
 7. The animal enclosure of claim 1, wherein thelatching mechanism comprises a substantially U-shaped structure.
 8. Theanimal enclosure of claim 1, wherein the door is slidable along thefirst vertical wire of the door frame in a first direction and pivotableabout the first vertical wire in a second direction when being movedfrom the closed position to the open position.
 9. The animal enclosureof claim 8, wherein the door is pivotable about the first vertical wireof the door frame in a third direction and slidable about the firstvertical wire in a fourth direction when being moved from the openposition to the closed position, wherein the third direction issubstantially opposite the second direction and the fourth direction issubstantially opposite the first direction.
 10. The animal enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of horizontal wires ofthe door comprises curled ends that are coupled to the first verticalwire of the door and are slidable relative thereto.
 11. A method ofmoving a door of an animal enclosure between an open and closedpositions, comprising: providing a door frame including a plurality ofinterconnected horizontal and vertical wires defining an outer perimeterand defining an opening having an inner perimeter for allowing access tothe interior of the housing, a door coupled to a first vertical wire ofthe door frame, a first coupling mechanism, and a second couplingmechanism including a stopper mechanism; positioning the door in theclosed position relative to the door frame; pivoting the second couplingmechanism about a first horizontal wire on the door in a direction awayfrom the door frame; moving the stopper mechanism to a position awayfrom the door frame; with the stopper mechanism clear from contactingthe door frame, lifting the door until a second horizontal wire of thedoor clears the first coupling mechanism; and pivoting the door to theopen position.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising liftingthe door until a third horizontal wire of the door clears another of thefirst coupling mechanisms.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thesecond coupling mechanism comprises a latch formed of a single,substantially U-shaped wire.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein thepivoting the second coupling mechanism step is performed before thelifting the door step.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprisinglimiting any lifting movement of the door until the second couplingmechanism is pivoted to a position in which the stopper mechanism clearsthe door frame.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein moving the stoppermechanism step comprises clearing a substantially vertical pathtravelled by the door during the lifting step.
 17. The method of claim11, further comprising: sliding the door along the first vertical wireof the door frame in a first direction until the second horizontal wireof the door clears the first coupling mechanism; and pivoting the doorabout the first vertical wire in a second direction when moving the doorfrom its closed position to its open position.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising: with the door in its open position, sliding thedoor along the first vertical wire of the door frame in the firstdirection; pivoting the door about the first vertical wire in a thirddirection, where the third direction is opposite the second direction;and sliding the door about the first vertical wire in a fourth directionuntil the second horizontal wire of the door is coupled to the firstcoupling mechanism and the door is in its closed position, wherein thefourth direction is opposite the first direction.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising pivoting the second coupling mechanismabout the first horizontal wire of the door as the door moves towardsits closed position to clear the stopper mechanism from limitingperformance of the sliding the door step.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising sliding the door in a direction opposite the firstdirection until curled ends of at least two horizontal wires of doorthat slide along the first vertical wire come into contact with at leasttwo horizontal wires of the door frame.